Verizon Wireless to roll out 4G LTE network in the Muskegon area Aug. 16

MUSKEGON, MI – One of Muskegon County’s leading wireless providers is upgrading its Muskegon-area network to provide 4G LTE service starting Aug. 16.

Verizon Wireless – the nation’s largest cellular phone company – will roll out the “fourth generation Long Term Evolution” network along with communities in the Battle Creek area. The upgrade to the latest wireless technology available will provide customers with faster Internet connections in part to allow for more robust video and audio streams, company officials said.

The 4G LTE service will provide users speeds up to 10 times faster than current 3G service, Verizon Wireless officials said.

However, to access the capabilities of 4G LTE customers will need to have a wireless device, such as a smartphone or a computer tablet, engineered for the new technology, they said. Many local Verizon customers already have such devices, which they have been able to use in existing 4G LTE markets when traveling, officials said.

“People across Michigan are increasingly relying on tablets, smartphones and apps to stay organized, connected and entertained,” said John Gransby, head of the Verizon Wireless operations in the Michigan-Indiana-Kentucky region. “Our investment in Michigan has kept us ahead of these customer trends and underscores our belief that 4G LTE delivers the best value to customers by maximizing the performance of their wireless devices.”

Verizon WirelessThose wanting to use 4G LTE services will need a wireless device such as a Droid Bionic.

Although needing special 4G LTE equipment, Verizon Wireless data packages will not need to be upgraded, according to company spokeswoman Michelle Gilbert. Verizon offers the same data plans for using 3G or 4G networks, she said.

Verizon Wireless officials said 4G LTE network will provide data downlink rates of 5-12 megabits per second and uplink of 2-5 megabits per second. Current 3G service operates at download speeds of up to 1.4 megabits per second and upload of up to 800 kilobits per second, company officials said.

For 4G LTE service will cover Verizon Wireless customers in the Fruitport, Norton Shores, Roosevelt Park and Muskegon areas as well as parts of North Muskegon and Egelston, Moorland, Ravenna and Casnovia townships, company officials said.

Along with mobile use of the 4G LTE network in the Muskegon area, customers also can use the same wireless signal to provide home- or small business-based Internet service.

The use of a “jetpack” device will provide access to Verizon Wireless’ HomeFusion Broadband service. The high-speed Internet wireless connection to a stationary device allows for a localized wi-fi hot spot to be established in a home or small business.

The HomeFusion Broadband router serve up to four wired devices and at least 20 wireless devices in the home or small business, Gilbert said.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is now available to more than two-thirds of the U.S. population in 337 markets across the country. Verizon has more than 108 million customers nationwide.

Top competitor AT&T Wireless already has 4G LTE service in limited areas Muskegon County. AT&T coverage maps show the upgraded service is available surrounding Muskegon Lake and north up the U.S. 31 corridor, however 4G LTE service is more limited south in the Norton Shores and Fruitport areas.

Sprint Nextel Wireless service has just rolled out 4G LTE service in a limited number of metro areas across the country but none are in Michigan, according to the company’s website. T-Mobile Wireless is just starting national trials on its 4G LTE network, according to trade press reports.